History Main / TheAggressiveDrugDealer

* One anti-smoking comic featuring ComicBook/{{Luke Cage|HeroForHire}}, ComicBook/{{Storm}}, and Franchise/SpiderMan, averted this. The people supplying a high school athlete with cigarettes pretend to be his friends. Their goal is to make sure he loses a race that their supervillain boss has bet a lot of money on, and they believe smoking will reduce his performance.

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Captain Planet|and the Planeteers}}'', the villain Verminous Skumm was a dealer of a highly addictive drug called "bliss", had some people resort to stealing to get the drug, and he encouraged them to take it and wouldn't accept no for an answer. One of his clients turns out to be Linka's cousin, Boris, who [[spoiler:he convinces at one point to get Linka addicted as well by spiking her food with the drug in return for "enough bliss to last you the rest of your life", and eventually dies from overdosing on it]]. Of course, Skumm was one of the Captain Planet villains who was in it strictly ForTheEvulz, so it was a more believable portrayal of this trope.

* Averted in ''Series/FridayNightLights'', [[FarmBoy Luke]] injures his hip, and becomes reliant on painkillers to play at his usual level. He quickly blows through his prescription and heads into [[WrongSideOfTheTracks East Dillon]] to get more, however, the dealers he approaches take one look at the clean-cut white stranger dressed like a ranch hand and [[RealityEnsues immediately clam up]], likely assuming he is a very inept undercover cop.

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* Machinima/Supermarioglitchy4sSuperMario64Bloopers: Yoshi is this.
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* [[http://www.snopes.com/horrors/drugs/suckers.asp The drug-laced lollipops mentioned in one urban legend.]] These are not to be confused with Actiq and its generic counterparts, which are fentanyl-laced lollipops used as painkillers in pediatric oncology. Although the odd Actiq gets abused from time to time, messing with anything containing fentanyl (an opioid much, much more powerful than morphine) is almost always a bad idea; just ask anyone who survived something like the China white scare, where a fentanyl analogue was sold as heroin and quite a few junkies died of what they thought was a modest dose.

* Every Halloween, local news will inevitably run a story on ecstasy, marijuana-laced candy, and other edible drugs passed off as candy and how parents should "beware" that these drugs could wind up in their children's trick-or-treat bags. Not only are edibles way too expensive to give away for free, but even if a child got hooked and wanted more, they'd have no way of knowing who the dealer was. So basically, such a dealer would be blowing hundreds of dollars [[ForTheEvulz just to get a bunch of kids high]]. Let's put it this way: if people really were giving away free drugs on Halloween, there'd be ''a lot'' more adults out trick-or-treating.

Problem was, an anti-peer pressure approach to [=PSAs=] would wind up contradicting the prevailing theory held by MoralGuardians at the time: that deviant behavior arose from [[LonersAreFreaks anti-social tendencies]]. They thought children, if anything, should be taught not succumbing to peer pressure is a ''[[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong bad thing]]''. Not only that, any such [=PSAs=] would also break the illusion any child might have had that their parents are a bastion of safety and morality. In the strict household hierarchy of yesteryear, that last point in particular was a ''no-no''.

* If you can count the Christian preachers of "Holy Ghost intoxication" as being drug dealers of a spiritual sort, there are those who are rather aggressive as to use intimidation tactics and peer pressure from the congregation unto the doubters and those who see from Scripture that such a thing is a spurious claim that comes from misinterpretation, usually of Acts chapter 2 and Ephesians 5:18, to support that idea. Some preachers like Rodney Howard Browne and John Crowder don't hide the fact that they advertise themselves as "Holy Spirit drug dealers", but rather claim that it is TheMoralSubstitute to getting high from real drugs.

This just isn't how it happens. No drug dealer in their right mind would risk attracting attention to themselves that way, especially not in the [[{{Suburbia}} middle-class environments]] these commercials are aimed at. Any who do so will get caught very quickly, and be far less likely to actually get any customers. The same way children are more likely to be abducted/molested by someone already in their lives than a stranger, they're far more likely to do drugs with their peers than some shadowy figure lurking in the playground. Most drug users have their first taste at a party or some other social setting where the substance is being shared and they give it a try. From there, if they want more, they'll seek out the dealer themselves. Furthermore, it must also be noted that despite (and several would argue because of) government policy, the market for illegal drugs was and remains quite healthy throughout the world; the Aggressive Drug Dealer has little reason to waste time trying to bully unwilling people into becoming their customers when there are almost certainly plenty of willing customers wanting to buy their product.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout: New Vegas}}'', drug dealer Dixon comes across as this to the denizens of Freeside, a slum right next to a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas. He proves perfectly willing to sell a special "concotion" to the player, which ends up just being a mixture of Jet and whisky.

* In ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'', [[TheSyndicate the Guild]] imposes trade embargoes on any nation that dares to try to keep itself drug-free. Since the Guild basically controls all international commerce in Creation, this is usually enough to bring a government to its knees fairly quickly. If it isn't, the Guild is not above hiring a mercenary army or two to invade the offending nation, depose its rulers, and install a Guild-backed puppet on the throne. TruthInTelevision: Replace "the Guild" with "British Empire", and you get the case of Opium Trade.

* Spoofed, skewered, and danced on in the ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh'' episode "Raisin the Stakes: A Rock Opera in Three Acts". The eeeevil "Pusher" causes the entire student body to get addicted to (wait for it) ...''smoking raisins''. Ironically, he's actually far LESS pushy (at least directly) than examples that are played straight. Beyond using a bit of ReversePsychology to create a demand, all he really does is [[ObviouslyEvil sit in the shadows]] and quietly sell his wares to a willing customer base.

* There is also the classic tactic of spiking relatively mild drugs, like marijuana or even alcohol, with more intense and addictive ones, like PCP or better yet some designer cocktail only they sell. Not exactly forcing straight edge kids to become addicts but it is tricking casual drug users into becoming addicts.

* Done on an international scale by England to China during the Opium Wars.

This just isn't how it happens. No drug dealer in their right mind would risk attracting attention to themselves that way, especially not in the [[{{Suburbia}} middle-class environments]] these commercials are aimed at. Any who do so will get caught very quickly, and be far less likely to actually get any customers. The same way children are more likely to be abducted/molested by someone already in their lives than a stranger, they're far more likely to do drugs with their peers than some shadowy figure lurking in the playground. Most drug users have their first taste at a party or some other social setting where the substance is being shared and they give it a try. From there, if they want more, they'll seek out the dealer themselves.

* In Creator/HalClement's novel ''Iceworld'', the protagonist is sent to infiltrate a criminal syndicate which has discovered a drug vapor that addicts those who inhale it with one dose. [[spoiler:The story takes place among aliens who live at very high temperatures, and the drug is tobacco, acquired via robot probe from a human who has no idea why the aliens are willing to trade gold for cigarettes.]]
* The ''Series/DoctorWho'' Literature/EighthDoctorAdventures novel ''The Eight Doctors'' has a [[VerySpecialEpisode Very Special Subplot]] involving one of these. Justified -- maybe -- by the fact that the drug dealer is a schoolkid whose classmate intends to tell on him, and he hopes that by forcing her to take crack, he'll get her addicted and she won't want to tell on him any more. However, the fact that a teacher claims that, "One single rock is cheap enough. Some dealers even give the first one away. It's a good way to make new customers, especially young ones," is about when you start to realize that you are reading a book propelled solely by NarmCharm.

* Parodied in an episode of ''Series/EngineSentaiGoOnger''. Gunpei offers a child a suitcase full of candy in exchange for his missing Engine Cast; but his [[ConspicuousTrenchcoat trench coat and sunglasses]] lead the child to mistake him for this trope and run away screaming.

Problem was, an anti-peer pressure approach to [=PSAs=] would wind up contradicting the prevailing theory held by MoralGuardians at the time: that deviant behavior arose from [[LonersAreFreakes anti-social tendencies]]. They thought children, if anything, should be taught not succumbing to peer pressure is a ''[[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong bad thing]]''. Not only that, any such [=PSAs=] would also break the illusion any child might have had that their parents are a bastion of safety and morality. In the strict household hierarchy of yesteryear, that last point in particular was a ''no-no''.

Problem was, an anti-peer pressure approach to [=PSAs=] would wind up contradicting the prevailing theory held by MoralGuardians at the time: that deviant behavior arose from anti-social tendencies; that is, [[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong from not succumbing to peer pressure]]. Not only that, those [=PSAs=] would also break the illusion any child might have had that their parents are a bastion of safety and morality. In the strict household hierarchy of yesteryear, that last point in particular was a ''no-no''.

In this day and age, if a drug dealer is represented as "aggressive" in media, he will most probably be of the "[[AxCrazy shoot it out with the police and anybody who pisses him off]]" variety instead... who are, quite unfortunately, TruthInTelevision and have always been (ex. Pablo Escobar), although even that can be exaggerated (many prefer to live, obviously, something that behavior doesn't really encourage).

Modern anti-drug [=PSAs=] have been taking a different approach in the last few years, by encouraging children to be "above the influence" in all respects toward peer pressure, not just in regard to doing drugs. If your friends go get high after school, you don't have to go with them, and they'll just agree to see you tomorrow instead.

The only option left, then, was to fabricate this villain to take away the need to actually address the disconnect between parents and their children. "Talking to your kids" by [[ScareEmStraight scaring them]] with this nightmare was a lot easier than trying to understand the social environment one's child was in, and instilling values that would stand up and that parents agreed with. It's much easier to demonize an evil outsider inexplicably hell-bent on getting Little Johnny hooked to drugs than to talk about the fact that the people who are ''actually'' likely to be encouraging him to try will be his friends and peers.

Problem was, an anti-peer pressure approach to [=PSAs=] would wind up contradicting the prevailing theory held by MoralGuardians at the time: that deviant behavior arose from anti-social tendencies -- [[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong from not succumbing to peer pressure]]. Not only that, they would also break the illusion any child might have had that their parents are a bastion of safety and morality. In the strict household environment of the time period, that was a ''no-no''.

Problem was, an anti-peer pressure approach to [=PSAs=] would wind up contradicting the prevailing theory held by MoralGuardians at the time: that deviant behavior arose from anti-social tendencies -- [[TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong from ''not'' succumbing to peer pressure]]. Not only that, they would also break the illusion any child might have had that their parents are a bastion of safety and morality. In the strict household environment of the time period, that was a ''no-no''.

This just isn't how it happens. No drug dealer in their right mind would risk attracting attention to themselves that way, especially not in the [[{{Suburbia}} middle-class environs]] these commercials are aimed at. Any who do so will get caught very quickly, and be far less likely to actually get any customers. The same way children are more likely to be abducted/molested by someone already in their lives than a stranger, they're far more likely to do drugs with their peers than some shadowy figure lurking in the playground. Most drug users have their first taste at a party or some other social setting where the substance is being shared and they give it a try. From there, if they want more, they'll seek out the dealer themselves.

This villain took away the need to actually address the disconnect between parents and their children. "Talking to your kids" by [[ScareEmStraight scaring them]] with this nightmare was a lot easier than trying to understand the social environment one's child was in, and instilling values that would stand up and that parents agreed with. It's much easier to demonize an evil outsider inexplicably hell-bent on getting Little Johnny hooked to drugs than to talk about the fact that the people who are ''actually'' likely to be encouraging him to try will be his friends and peers.

* Somewhat to the surprise of law enforcement trying to catch them, modern dealers of heroin would actually give free doses to certain customers if they didn't have the money to pay at that time. Notably, though this is only ''partly'' to keep them addicted (see ''Dreamland''); it's also because severe withdrawal symptoms can be fatal, and dealers are very much interested in keeping their customers alive.

A [[DeadHorseTrope trope of yesteryear]], born from TheEighties' DARE programs and resulting commercials, "inspirational films," and {{very special episode}}s. The Aggressive Drug Dealer is out there trying to ''force'' your kids into doing drugs. He won't take casual avoidance for an answer, and will seek out and use intimidation just to coerce his target. So a type of training is required to [[CatchPhrase "Just Say No."]]

* In ''Hip Choice'', a shady shade wearing puppet in an alleyway offers two other puppets a handful of needles, joints and pills. They make the hip choice and say no. Then he reveals his horrible eye condition.
* Subverted in a public service announcement. The aggressive drug dealer turns out to be a trusted adult who was role playing with the kid.

* Parodied by Progressive Insurance, which has one commercial in which spokesperson Flo hangs out in a dark alley and aggressively sells insurance in a manner that copies the standard 80s portrayal of the aggressive drug dealer.

* The Terraist Church from ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'' spikes the food and drinks of pilgrims with Thyoxin, an highly addictive drug that can be used for brainwashing, to effectively enslave them. And if the pilgrims catch on before they are fully addicted, they are brought to the infirmary and forcefully addicted there.

* ''ComicBook/ArchieComics'' would occasionally have anti-drug mini comics in the books. One specific example has two children accosted by drug dealers, complete with the girl crying "Oh, Jimmy, I'm scared!" They are saved by two generic super heroes.

* In ''Film/UnderworldUSA'', the kingpin Connors tells Gela, his head of narcotics, to make up lost revenue by selling to 10 to 15 year olds, and instructs him to have his 'product men' target schools.

* After the protagonist of ''Literature/GoAskAlice'' tries to go clean, her drug using ex-friends start bullying her and threatening her in order to get her back on drugs.

** ''The Wire'' also shows the various crews handing out free samples, called 'testers' in the show, at fixed intervals. This is not only to keep the addicts around, but apparently to demonstrate how strong (or weak) the current package is.

* In ''Series/TrueBlood'', the werewolf JD Carsons tells his pack to drink vampire blood (it greatly enhances physical attributes and gives a HealingFactor, but is highly addictive and has nasty withdrawal symptoms). When some refuse, he beats them up and force feeds them the blood. His goal was to make them stronger and make them addicted so they can not leave and obey him more easily.

* Averted in ''Series/FridayNightLights'', [[FarmBoy Luke]] injures his hip, and becomes reliant on painkillers to play at his usual level. He quickly blows through his prescription and heads into [[WrongSideOfTheTracks East Dillon]] to get more, however, the dealers he approaches take one look at the clean cut white stranger dressed like a ranch hand and [[RealityEnsues immediately clam up]], likely assuming he is a very inept undercover cop.
* ''{{Series/Euphoria}}'': Mouse simply won't take "no" for an answer when offering Rue fentanyl. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] as she's already a drug user, and he wants to make a sale (she either gives him the money, or sex). Fezco thankfully rescues her by paying for it.

* In the post cyberpunk RPG "Fates Worse Than Death", the Drug Lords have recently managed (after years of hard work) to produce the "holy grail" of illegal street drugs: a drug that is dirt cheap to create, is instantly addictive, and has ''no effects whatsoever'' except for absolutely horrible withdrawal symptoms. No more of this tedious "convincing people to buy drugs" crap: [[ParanoiaFuel their pushers just grab you while you walk down the street, give you one injection,]] [[FateWorseThanDeath and from that point on you have to pay them ridiculous prices to avoid the withdrawal symptoms of doom.]] Yet the drug is cheap enough for their victims to make? ''That'' formula won't be staying secret for long...

* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}'', Jet was specifically engineered to be extremely addictive but only produce a short high, so customers would need to buy more frequently. However, the dealers aren't particularly pushy, since the client base in the three areas it can be found (New Reno, The Den and Redding) are well-established. However, if you take on the quest to solve the Jet-overdose murder of Chris Wright, his father will insist that the boy was forced to take the drug; he's vehemently anti-drugs, has made his stance clear to his whole family, and refuses to even consider the alternative of his son doing it voluntarily. It eventually turns out that it was actually an assassination, as completing the quest reveals that the victim was poisoned and that the initial suspects (the mob family that controlled the Jet supply) weren't behind it, it was actually a different family that was trying to provoke a war between the two (which would, of course, leave both badly weakened to the point that the third family could fairly easily take over both of their territories).

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Bravestarr}}'': The episode "[[Recap/BravestarrS1E26ThePrice The Price]]" has a drug dealer who is pushing a drug called "spin," which starts with causing feelings of intense euphoria but can later lead to extreme paranoia and even death. He is extremely suave and persuasive, but insists on targeting people with very little (or no) money, apparently just so he can persuade them to steal what they owe, suggesting he's more interested in corrupting people rather than actually earning a profit. Also, he actually manufactures the drug himself rather than getting it from a supplier, and once Bravestarr takes out his factory, New Texas is freed from the devastating influence of spin, tying everything up in a neat little bow. [[spoiler:Sadly, not before a young boy has died from the drug.]]

* Undercover narcotics officers will sometimes act like this to try to catch users in the act of buying drugs. However, since actual users and real dealers (at least, those that don't take their own product, as mentioned a few points above) are too smart to fall for this, undercover officers often target high schoolers or first time users for an easy arrest, which brings up serious questions about the effectiveness of the war on drugs, and the exact definition of entrapment.

* There is also the classic tactic of spiking relatively mild drugs, like marijuana or even alcohol, with more intense and addictive ones, like PCP or better yet some designer cocktail only they sell. Not exactly forcing strait edge kids to become addicts but it is tricking casual drug users into becoming addicts.
* This trope is part of the reason for the disappearance and decommissioning of {{Pay Phone}}s, besides them being [[TechnologyMarchesOn superseded by cell phones]]. According to UrbanLegend, drug dealers would loiter around public telephones, both waiting for "customers" to call them, and trying to lure in new customers by offering drugs. However, there are [[DeadUnicornTrope no reliable reports of dealers ever having done this]], even back in the days before cell phones were widely available, and it certainly wouldn't make much sense. Loitering around a pay phone for hours and hours each day does, after all, look suspicious, and (this being the thing everyone apparently missed) looking suspicious is exactly what drug dealers ''don't'' want.